First Nations Project Coordinator - First Nations Relations

Summary

The First Nations Project Coordinator supports Capital Regional District (CRD) staff in the areas of heritage management and First Nations engagement across all CRD operations. You will be responsible for providing a variety of technical and coordination support including liaising with First Nations staff, cultural workers and Guardians in the region. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in heritage management, First Nation relations and/or referrals, project management, and contract management. You are a self-motivated professional dedicated to anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and have a commitment to creating and maintaining safe cultural spaces for colleagues and First Nation partners. Success in this role requires adaptability and humility in the evolving landscape of First Nations relations, with a deep understanding of the cultural significance of heritage sites for Indigenous communities.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Support and Guidance to CRD Archaeology

• Collaborate closely with the Archaeology Manager to support CRD staff in heritage management for projects involving land alterations, including capital projects related to water and wastewater management, as well as trail and park development, infrastructure installation and maintenance, and emergency and routine work.
• Provide technical and administrative support to CRD project managers throughout the project lifecycle, including: document preparation and retention, preparing project summaries and meeting agendas, and supporting meetings with First Nations’ staff.  
• Support the Archaeology Manager to build and maintain working relationships with First Nations’ staff, Guardians and elders throughout the region.
• Assist the Archaeology Manager in contract management with First Nations and archaeological consultants, including preparing and reviewing contract scopes of work, detailed cost estimates, and requests for proposals. 
• Coordinate field participation of First Nations’ cultural monitors and Guardians. 
• Conduct research, including Remote Access to Archaeological Data searches; compile and synthesize background technical information. 
• Work with the Archaeology Manager to track Heritage Conservation Act deliverables and related project delivery. 

Support and Guidance to CRD Operations 

• In close collaboration with the Archaeology Manager and Manager of First Nations Relations, provide CRD staff with verbal and written analysis and advice related to engagement and collaboration with First Nations on regulatory referrals and major projects, including infrastructure projects.  
• Provide project management and administrative support to CRD staff on First Nations’ engagement including drafting, reviewing and sending correspondence, follow-up calls, document retention, tracking engagement and action items, and supporting meetings with First Nations’ staff.  

General Duties

• Support the First Nations Relations division to achieve corporate mandates on First Nations relations.
• Plan, coordinate and implement a variety of project activities, including serving as project lead where applicable.
• Prepare meeting minutes, reports, letters and communications materials.
• Provide support to the First Nations Relations division including developing and maintaining organizational systems to manage contact information and detailed records of engagement and co-managing the First Nations Relations division intake process and shared inbox. 
• Follow all policies, procedures, and standards of the CRD.
• Perform other related duties, as required.

Additional Information

This role is primarily in office, approximately 80% of the time, in addition to some field work, approximately 20% of the time. This position requires the ability to drive to various CRD locations, within the region as needed, and the ability to occasionally adjust hours to accomodate longer workdays for site visits, events or meetings.

In addition to the key skills and abilities, the following are considered assets for this role:

• Working knowledge of methods, materials and equipment used in archaeological research.
• Experience working with First Nations Guardians, cultural workers and/or environmental stewardship staff.
• Experience with First Nation permitting, referrals and/or portal systems.
• Direct experience working with First Nations communities 
• Willingness to share and apply cultural protocol and traditional perspectives in the workplace

We recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and the unique insights that come from lived experiences. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations, as unique backgrounds and experiences are highly valued in the context of archaelogical and cultural heritage management.

Key Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge and experience with local Indigenous culture, protocols, practices and history.
• Experience with First Nations consultation and engagement processes.
• Working knowledge of the Heritage Conservation Act and/or other provincial regulatory frameworks. 
• Excellent organization, problem solving and record keeping skills.
• Project management, administrative skills and the proven ability to meet deliverables.
• Ability to exercise professionalism, discretion, tact and independent judgement.
• Ability to review, analyze, assess and interpret plans, drawings, specifications, contracts.
• Ability to prepare and maintain reports, records, correspondence and various other materials related to the work.
• Ability to work effectively in a changing environment, with competing deadlines and minimal supervision.
• Proficient in the use of office applications and online databases such as MS Office, SharePoint, Teams and GIS-based applications.
• Ability to support and coordinate the procurement of services from First Nations and consultants.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize work, and set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to think analytically, innovatively, and critically to solve problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and professional conduct to influence, collaborate with, and build consensus.

Qualifications

Certifications